Trying to live with a little grace, a little humor, and great shoes.

Beautiful Reality #thisisreal – Day 1

He doesn’t fit well on my lap anymore, but it doesn’t seem to stop him. He burrows into my side, long legs folded beneath himself, a gangly spider of burgeoning youth and adolescence, but the heart of my last-born, my mama’s-boy.

He is my tender, affectionate child, and my tyrant. He is as demanding as he is dimpled and loving. A week ago, he threw a foot-stomping, rip-roaring tirade at me because I said no to another soda after dinner.

He is the one who will still fall asleep, head in my arms, muscles twitching as he crawls under the covers of slumber, and he is the one who will slam his bedroom door in anger, fierce and defiant, clamoring for his own way.

He is equal parts salty and sweet, blessing and challenge. This is real.